San Jose Estate Law Blog
Why do estate plans fail?
Estate planning is a team effort. One element of this is your advisor — but even the best estate planning attorneys have a limited amount of power. There are other people involved in making a plan work. It depends on your situation, but they could include family...
Drawing up your will also means naming an executor
If you are ready to prepare your will, have you considered who you wish to have as the executor? The person you name will be responsible for administering your estate after your death. This is a highly responsible position that requires careful thought on your part...
What is an advance directive?
Like many people in California, you may have heard or read about an advance directive but you may not fully understand what it is or what it can do for you or for your family. As explained by the American Cancer Society, there are actually many types of documents...
Taking a look at the probate process
If you are setting up an estate plan, there are a lot of factors to consider, from dividing assets among loved ones and identifying the best type of estate plan. Sometimes, people aim to avoid the probate process, while others understand that their loved ones will...
How do you handle your loved one’s debts?
California residents work hard on estate plans. Your loved ones likely tried to take care of as much as possible before passing. This is so you would not have to deal with as much complex litigation. Unfortunately, life is not always predictable. Situations come up in...
How should you share your advance directive?
Through an advance directive, you can designate someone to act as your health care proxy to make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated. Advance directives also provide important guidance to your doctors on matters such as pain management and...
Do not set your family up for an estate dispute
Almost inevitably, problems arise when someone dies without an estate plan. Family members must guess what the deceased would want. Disagreements can prolong the process and lead to quarrels that may last for years. In California, courts may end up making key...
What are the pros and cons of DIY wills?
Most Americans are aware that they need to have an estate plan, but current statistics suggest that only one in four Americans actually have either a will or an advance directive of any sort. Many people are turning to DIY will options available either online or...
What can you expect when contesting a will?
Whether you expect a loved one's death or it happens out of the blue, a will can provide some stability in these times of grief. But other times, they can be the source of complications. If you suspect someone is exploiting a last will and testament or believe that...
Estate planning supports your family’s financial security
California residents may support their family’s financial well-being by engaging in thoughtful estate planning. Kiplinger explains that it is never too early to start creating your estate plan. Our firm helps people create comprehensive plans that protect their...
